Tag: Fall

Back To School 2018: DIY Preppy Backpack

It’s that time of year again, the one that students dread and parents love: Back to School Season. The fall semester starts in about a month so it’s about time to start creating some great new school supplies, for a great price! I am going to start this series with an essential: the backpack. Today, we are creating the perfect, basic, preppy-style backpack which is perfect for every student who wants to update their backpack for the new school year!

Today’s Look: The Preppy Student

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut zipper tassels already on bag off with scissors. Then, loop leather cord through zipper and cut to desired length, making a loop.

 

Take thinner cord and tie in a knot around the loop to hold it together. Wrap thin cord around and then tie in a knot twice to secure. Cut off excess of both cords. Repeat for all other zippers on bag.

Step 2: Take white grosgrain ribbon and striped grosgrain ribbon and layer them on top of each other, then glue with E6000 glue. Wait for it to dry a bit, then you can begin to line your backpack with it.

Glue ribbon to the inside part of the zipper flap and then fold to begin lining the backpack along the zipper.

Continuously glue as you go until the ribbon is all the way across the top of the backpack. To finish, fold over flap and glue, the same as when you started the ribbon.

Step 3: Using the same ribbon layered and glued on top of each other, glue to the side pockets of the backpack (if there are any) using E6000 glue. Tip: Use binder clips to secure ribbon while drying to make sure it stays in place!

Step 4: Now we are going to apply the letters! Lay out your monogram in the desired order and lay a thin piece of fabric on top in order to protect the letters from the iron.

Then, use your iron to press down onto the patches for about 20 seconds, or until they are attached to the bag.

Remove fabric for the finished look!

 

DIY Halloween Decor: Embroidered and Studded Pumpkins

With Halloween less than two weeks away, we’re skipping the more time-consuming DIYs and showing you two unbelievably easy and straightforward pumpkin décor ideas that you can put together at the drop of a (witch) hat.

First, a throwback DIY that is so quick and simple we had no choice but to raise it from the dead. If you’re looking for an easy DIY that will instantly make your doorstep more festive for your favorite frightening holiday, Halloween, this is it!

For a pumpkin decoration, instead of going the traditional carving route, we decided to make use of our leather cord to create a unique embroidered effect. We also used a craft foam pumpkin for this DIY so that it can last multiple seasons, but you can swap it out for the real thing too! Get ready to not carve up some pumpkins!

Spooky Embroidered Pumpkin

What You’ll Need:

Scissors

Spooky Image of Your Choice

Pins

1mm Round Leather Cord

Pumpkin

1

Cut out your image that you drew or printed. Pick a design that isn’t too complicated.

 

2

Pin paper cut-out to the pumpkin using the pearl head pins.

 

3

Cut out the top of the pumpkin. If you’re using a real pumpkin you’ll want to clean out the inside!

 

4

Make a knot at the base of the leather cord.

 

5

Either drill or puncture small holes into the pumpkin using your cutout as a guide. Make sure the holes are big enough to thread the cord through comfortably.

6

Start weaving your leather cord through all of the holes. Make sure every hole has a corresponding hole close by.

7

Continue weaving until the image is complete. For small areas you can tie a knot and weave back through one hole, as we did with the spider fangs.

 

And you’re done! #squadgoals

 

Studded Pumpkin

What You’ll Need:

Assorted Pronged Nailheads

Pumpkins in Assorted Sizes

 

1

Get several pumpkins in several sizes. We chose smaller pumpkins because we were low on time but this DIY is great for pumpkins of all sizes. You can use our Hotfix Nailheads if you are working with a hard plastic pumpkin.

 

2

Carefully push the prongs of the nailhead into the skin of the pumpkin until they are secure. Or glue them on with Hotfix nailheads if you are using a plastic pumpkin.

 

3

Play around with creating different patterns using various colors, shapes and sizes. Add as many or as few as you’d like and then you are done!

 

4

Here we used small round nailheads for our tiny pumpkin.

 

5

For this striking white pumpkin, we used different types of nailheads to create a playful look.

 

And here are the four beautiful pumpkins that were crafted in just minutes.

Happy Halloween!

 

 

DIY: Rose Embroidered Vans

What do you do when a cool new pair of shoes hits the market and everyone has a pair? You customize yours so you can be a dolphin in a sea of sharks. The new Vans Old Skool sneakers are ultra cool and since they’re unisex it seems like EVERYONE is wearing them. And they should. But what if you could take it to the next level with a feminine touch with this rose embroidered patch.

What you’ll need:

Vans (or any sneakers you wanna switch up)

Rose Iron-on Patches

Iron

Glue (If the patch is being stubborn in places)

Scissors (If you want to trim the patch to fit the shoes)

Also keep a cotton cloth handy for the ironing part.

Step 1: Decide how you want the patch placed on the shoe. I chose this single rose embroidered patch to be placed along the side of the shoes.

Step 2: Making sure the patch is where you want it, place the cotton cloth over it. Press down with the iron, supporting inside with your hand. Hold down for 20 seconds. Repeat if necessary.

Step 3: Do it on the other side and repeat with the other shoe.

And you’re done!

 

DIY: Brilliance Statement Shoulder Sweater

As the weather gets colder and party season heads into full swing, we’re looking for holiday party style that won’t leave us shivering! This week we used Brilliance sew-on jewels to upgrade a stylish sweater into a seasonal staple! Pair this sweater with dark denim and a wedge boot, and you won’t need another accessory. And remember, there’s nothing wrong with giving the cold shoulder with a little bit of icy Brilliance bling.
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What You’ll Need: 

Sweater
Brilliance Sew-On Jewels in Jet
Needle and Thread
DSC_03121. Place Brilliance stones onto sweater in your desired pattern. We placed them in a random cluster on one shoulder, but follow your creative instincts. Use different colors, play with placement and have fun with it!

DSC_03132. Start sewing! If you find your jewels sinking into the sweater, place a fabric behind the sweater material and jewels.

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Fall Fashion for the Great Outdoors

As NYC locals, we at M&J Trimming, are lucky enough to be able to experience one of the most beautiful fall foliage sites just down the Hudson River! There’s nothing like getting away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple to go explore the fiery fall trails, pick apples by the bushel, or snag the perfect pumpkin for carving. That being said, if you’re spending the weekend exploring the great outdoors, you need to drop your style game at the subway doors. Check out some of our favorite fall looks that work double duty as comfy and stylish options.

Hiking Outfit with Beanie and Flannel

Fall-Ready Couple in Flannels

Black and Red Hiking Outfit

woodland fall outfit llbean plaid pumpkin

Black Hat and Olive Jacket

Paris Fashion Week Fall 2015

Fashion Month is over, and there’s no better place to end it than Paris, the city of love and impeccable style. Here are some of the collections that we fell in love with, and we’re sure you will too!
alexander-mcqueen-rtw-fw15-runway-21

 

alexander-mcqueen-rtw-fw15-runway-28The pieces at Alexander McQueen were inspired by roses. With tiny ruffles, accents of lace and leather, models strut down the runway like blooming bouquets.

stella-mccartney-rtw-fw15-runway-18

 

stella-mccartney-rtw-fw15-runway-31Stella McCartney continued to play with spacious silhouettes that moved gracefully on the models as they sauntered down the runway.

saint-laurent-rtw-fw15-runway-21

saint-laurent-rtw-fw15-runway-46Saint Laurent’s show was full of going-out pieces that were fun, flirty perfect for a party!

celine-fw15-pfw-runway-14

celine-fw15-pfw-runway-16The looks at Celine were luxurious and filled with an abundance of different textures.

NYFW Fall 2015 Recap

New York Fashion Week has come to a close for the season, and the styles were as glamorous as they were varied! From furs to floral embellishments to childish cartoon characters; this year’s offerings had a little bit of everything._A2X0637Inspired by Vikings, the looks at Anna Sui screamed with Scandinavian style. A bevy of bold prints and colorful fur trim were the highlights of the show!

ONP_5507Fur was in fashion at Michael Kors where models donned fox fur in addition to more classic cuts and styles.

ONP_7202Who says neutral has to be tame? At Ralph Lauren creams, tans and taupes stole the show with garments showcasing an undeniable Western flair.

ONP_6655The 1920s made a comeback at Marchesa where gowns were trimmed in fringe and floral embellishments.

ONP_6316Jeremy Scott never fails to bring excitement and a marriage with pop culture in his designs. This season his collection featured brightly-colored babydoll dresses and prints that are reminiscent of nursery rhyme characters.

DIY: Leather Fringe Gloves

Looking for a fun way to upgrade chic, but basic gloves? This tutorial shows you how to DIY a pair of average leather gloves into a high-fashion, cold-weather accessory by using fun leather fringe! DSC_0867What You’ll Need:

2” Faux Leather Cut Fringe*

Leather gloves (H&M)

Needle and thread

Scissors

DSC_08711. Take your fringe trim and measure on the outside of the glove.

DSC_08732. Cut to size.

DSC_08753. Sew on the fringe around the opening of the gloves.

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*This item is currently unavailable. Check out our full selection of leather trims.

Leather Glove DIY Roundup

Leather gloves are definitely a high-fashion way to keep your digits from freezing off! But if basic leather gloves are a little boring, upgrade them with these fun DIY alternatives!

DSC_0378+web (1)Upgrade a basic pair of leather or faux-leather gloves with this fun Chanel-inspired DIY!

Final-11Brit+Co. gives us three luxe options for leather gloves!

Screen-Shot-2013-12-18-at-10.44.07-AMHere are two ways to add some edge to your leather with the addition of studs!

gloves2Need added warmth? Extend those gloves with a form-fitting sleeve!